So they told the eight-year-old’s teachers at the school in Brook Road, who said they could assist her effort by cutting her hair in an assembly in front of the school, her mum Anna, dad Simon and brothers Joe, 10, and seven-year-old Stanley.

Mum Anna said: “I’m extremely proud of Edie, to be growing your hair for two years with the intention of cutting it off to give it to another child is amazing.

The Auckland family (L-R) Joe, 10, Simon, Edie, 8, Stanley, 7 and Anna Auckland with Edie's hair which she cut off to raise money for the Little Princess Trust. Picture: Danny Loo

“She was absolutely fine in the assembly when Mrs Schofield and Miss Pena cut off her 9-inch plaits, because when Edie puts her mind to something she does it.”